PC Backup

[hollywood1939]

Compaq SR5109UK PC running Windows Vista.

I intend to format my desktop hard drive and, in preparation for this, have backed up everything onto
an 80gb portable USB hard drive.
I have finished up with a list of 125 files on the portable HD with no indication of what they are and the files do not
open as expected. Is this normal? I have not done anything like this before.
Also with the portable HD connected the PC will not shut down. It remains on the `shutting down` page until unplugged.
Any help appreciated.

 

[mantadog]

Are you using the windows backup tool? I'm not sure if vista ever had it, I've never owned a copy of vista. If so then the files wont open as expected because they are archived in a way that windows finds easier to restore.

If you just copied and pasted the files then they should be opening fine.

 

[Stephen M]

I always drag and drop for my back ups and have never had anything like this, the files open from the portable HD just as they would from the laptop. I would check out the portable HD before doing anything else. Can you open the files at all. Also was the drive formatted before you moved the files accross, this should not normally make a difference as most modern portables are ready to drag and drop but it may be worth checking.